Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Feb 3: Hundreds of students led by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) marched the streets of Ujire on Tuesday Feburary 3, protest the arrest of a student in connection to the recent clashes at Karaya.

Nidhish Shetty, a student, along with many others was arrested in connection to the communal clashes at Karaya, where stones were allegedly pelted at right wing activists returning from Hindu Hrudaya Sangama at Puttur and a mosque was also damaged.

Nidhish Shetty is said to be a leader of ABVP, hence the outfit led a massive protest on Tuesday condemning his arrest and demanding his release.

Addressing the protest, ABVP state leader Prajwal Bangera lashed out at the state government and said, "The state government is trying to suppress youth power. It is filing cases against students and supporting anti-social elements.

"The police have failed to trace the real culprits and instead arrested innocents. This is due to political pressure. If student power rises and roars, it can even shake up the Vidhana Soudha. Students are not involved in any anti-social activities. Without even understanding the actual facts of the case (Karaya incident), fingers are being pointed at students. Images of students were morphed and added to the CCTV images," he claimed.

ABVP leader Shraddha said that ABVP would continue to protest until Nidhish is released.

Nidhish's father Sridhar Shetty who was part of the protest said, "I truly believe that my son has not done anything wrong. I thank the people who have gathered here to be part of the protest."

Vijeth welcomed the gather while Rohit thanked. Bajrang Dal district convener Bhaskar Dharmasthala, Jayaprakash, Rakshith Shetty, Dinakar Adelu and others were present.

Prior to the protest meet, the students marched from Ujire college to bus stand. They also submitted a memorandum through the tahsildar.